Karl Anthony-Towns Lands Hard on Tailbone, X-Rays Negative

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2 min read • December 02, 2021

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NBA
Karl Anthony-Towns Lands Hard on Tailbone, X-Rays Negative

Timeberwolves center Karl Anthony-Towns left tonight's game late in the 4th quarter after landing on his tailbone on a made dunk, but the X-rays came back negative, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Towns himself confirmed postgame that the X-rays came back negative, while saying he felt "much better now," and that he was "in extreme pain" after the injury, according to Jace Frederick of Pioneer Press. 

The 26-year-old had put up 34 and 10 before losing his handle on the rim on a made dunk with 2:24 left after his feet swung out under him, sending him tailbone-first to the floor. Towns stayed on the ground holding his back until head coach Chris Finch subbed him out. Minnesota ultimately lost the contest to the Wizards, 115-107. 

Last season, Stephen Curry notably suffered what at the time was called a tailbone contusion, missing 5 straight and 6 of the next 8 before fully returning with a pad to cover the injured area. The ailment was later revealed to be a hairline fracture, although it didn't require surgery.

The 11-11 Wolves, who are 7-2 in their last 9, are set to face the Nets in Brooklyn on Friday, followed by home matchups against the Hawks, Jazz, and Cavaliers. If Towns – who has put up 23.5 and 9 on 51.3% shooting and 44% on 3s – can't go, expect Naz Reid to start in his place. Reid has averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game coming into tonight's loss.